Plant Passports

Well Ive registered. Should get the green light within a week. Watch this space

 

I ordered two small plants (with root and soil) from Spain yesterday ... they were posted to me today. Don't know if they are complying with rules or not.

Hibiscus Albo


Rusellia

 

Did they have a plant passport label attached ?

If not then they didn't comply




Got my response almost by return email

Dear Sir/Madam


Regulation (EU) 2016/2031


You are now registered under the SRSF plant health regulations and are authorised to issue plant passports under those regulations as from December 14th 2019, for the plants that you produce.



From December 14th 2019 you will now need to attach passport labels to the smallest tradeable unit for each species within your consignments. Examples of smallest tradeable unit include Plant, Tray, Bundle etc.

 

Don't know as they only posted them today but will find out on receipt. I did notice the three lots I use are now selling a lot of cuttings and seeds rather than rooted plants.

 

The rules will apply to cuttings and seeds too. Maybe its a more cost effective way for their business and coincides with the new 'rules'.

The attached pdf shows the duties of the person responsible which may give a bit of an insight into what they are trying to achieve. Really not sure how they see me as a responsible person through

 

My healthy plants arrived today. Here we do not have to complete a declaration form so no one knows what's in the package. no Declaration. I don't care as I have what I want.

Have been out to lunch with friends today dining outside in 20C full sunshine, top down on car for journey, so will pot on tomorrow.

Sorry, just rubbing it in a bit ... I like living here away from the UK.

 

As long as you have not imported the plants, or the plant is not on the at risk register, you do not need a PP if selling direct to the end user, unless it is distance selling i.e online.
Its supposed to be for bio control, against such pathogens like Xylella, but its a stealth tax, supermarkets can import thousands of plants from Holland, and as long as it has a sticker on it with the PP number on, and they keep a record of the PP number from whom they bought, they are not restricted on what they bring in, at risk or not. And that is where the weak link is, those who import from countries with known plant pathogens, no restriction on what they buy, or the amount they buy. If you are thinking about registering, the inspection will include a look at your books, and any at risk plant you sell, you must keep a record of it for 6 years, conveniently in line with your tax records.

 

Ive had a call from DEFRA today about plant passports.

And guess what ? Its all change !!

Had a quick chat and they have now added an amateur gardener level to the mix. As it is not a professional business and I only sell a few plants on line they see that as low risk and, whilst I remain on the register, I don't need to supply plant passports and don't need the annual inspection.

This makes much more sense and is a far more pragmatic approach